How many times have you left your donors a voicemail with no callback or sent an email with no response? As we seemingly become more connected through technology, are we becoming more disconnected on a personal level? Whatever the reason, it is certainly harder for fundraisers to connect with donors these days.

Consider this: Just like the rest of us, your donors are being bombarded with emails and texts from family, businesses, charities, etc., asking for a response. For even the most tech-savvy senior, this can be overwhelming.

So, what can you do?

The best approach to connecting with donors is to go back to basics:

• Spend a few hours a week writing personal notes or sending your long-term donors a birthday or anniversary card.
• Make those phone calls. If you get voicemail, don’t ask for a return call. Just say “Thank you” or “I’m thinking about you.”
• Send an email but make it an e-card (holidays are the perfect time for this).
• At year-end, mail them relevant gift information along with a personal note of thanks.
• Make a goal to schedule personal visits. Though this may take some time to coordinate, there’s nothing better than face-to-face interaction to establish a relationship.

Keep in mind your long-term objective—staying top of mind with your donors. This back-to-basics approach worked long before there were smartphones and emails. There’s no reason it won’t still work today.

Learn from Julie at the Sharpe Virtual Academy: Planned Giving #201—Skills To Acquire Major and Planned Gifts on April 17-18, 2024, or in person at the Advanced Gift Planning seminar in Chicago, May 14-15, 2024.